Local/Area News

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Henryetta high school 2017 graduate Jacee Barton is the new reigning Henryetta Labor Day Queen.
IMG 3191The daughter of Tricia and Michael Barton was crowned Saturday night at the conclusion of the annual Labor Day pageant held at the high school auditorium.
Taking the crown as Junior Miss Labor Day is Kyleigh Beel, the daughter of Jerry and Krystal Russell and Rusty Beel.
Named Little Miss queen was Macie Henderson, 11-year-old daughter of Sharah and Jeremiah Abel and Matt Henderson. First runner up was Pearl Winter, daughter of Glenn and Carolyn Putman while Joleann Turley, daughter of Brandon and Jennifer Turley, was named second runner up.
In the Petite Miss competition, Bella Waters, daughter of Nikki Naida and Ben Waters received her crown. First runner up was Reecie Ann Turley, daughter of Brandon and Jennifer Turley. Second runner up was Adyson Griffin, daughter of Matt and tammy Collins and Adam Griffin.
Earlier in the day, the infants had their place in the spotlight.
The 0 to 5 month girls winner was Jenny Lynn Pevehouse, daughter of Distiny Smith and Seth Pevehouse. Placing second was Rylan Crawford, daughter of Rodney and Nicole Crawford while Skylin McKinney, daughter of Lindsey and Cody McKinney was third.
The 0 to 5 month boys winner was Ripley landers, son of Samantha Hawk and Jeremy Landers with Ricky Reavis, son of laci Reavis, placing second.
In the 6 to 11 month girls competition, Peyton Tabor, daughter of Melissa and Trenton Tabor was first, Kaisley Cox, daughter of Hanna Dearman and Brayden Cox, was second and Elaina Churchill, daughter of Kayla Gryder and Brent Churchill was third.
Luca Newcomb, son of Maranda and Trevor Newcomb was the 6 to 11 month boys winner.
Amaya Paige, daughter of Rinn Paige and Julianna Paige was first in the 12 to 23 month girls judging with Kayson Lowe, daughter of Jason and Kayce Lowe in second and Saphira Rose Barton, daughter of Kaylee Johnson and Tara and Trae Barton, placed third.
The 12 to 23 month boys winner was Jaxon Shepherd. He is the son of Justin and Elisa Shepherd. Placing second was Tayden Tabor. He is the son of Trenton and Melissa Tabor.
Taking the crown in the 24-35 month girls competition was Gabriella Gaston, daughter of Daniel and Shelby Gaston, Finleigh Robertson, daughter of Ryan and Christian Robertson placed second and Kennedy Peavler, daughter of Morgan Peavler was third.
Damon Lewis was the winner of the 24-35 boys competition. He is the son of Justin and Ashley Jackson.
The winner of the 36-47 month girls division was Anniyah Bear. She is the daughter of Trausa and Robby Bear. Placing second was Timberlyn Doyle, daughter of dylan and Emily Doyle. Third went to Tinley Gibson, daughter of Amer and Chris Gibson and Kaylee Reed.

 

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MORNING PAGEANT VIDEO

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE EVENING PAGEANT VIDEO

Baby Pageant Photos:

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Evening Pageant Photos:

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Once again the sales tax numbers were positive for Henryetta.
This month the Oklahoma Tax Commission sent a check for $237,434 which was a $5,672 increase over the August 2017 numbers. This is the ninth consecutive month that the sales tax news has been good. It also boosted the city receipts by $74,680 over the January through August comparison with last year.
The use tax return took a $3,100 drop with $7320 this August compared with $10,452 a year ago.
After a hefty increase last month, the sales tax return to Okmulgee County was down $5,158 form a year ago. This month the county treasury deposited $299,156 compared to $304,315 last year.
That loss was also felt by the Okmulgee city government. The August 2018 return amounted to $530,435, a drop below the $535,026 last year. Those collections included the one-third penny tax that went into effect last month.
For the second month this year, Dewar also received less money in sales taxes. The August 2018 check was for $10,565 compared to $11,606 a year ago.
It has been a seemingly uphill battle for QuikTrip to come to Henryetta.
Since the announcement was originally made in 2017, there have been issues purchasing property and getting an agreement over highway access.
Most of those hurdles have been cleared and city officials are going to be meeting with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and QuikTrip officials on highway zoning.
That was the word Monday from Jennifer Clason to members of the Henryetta Economic Development Authority members.
She said a groundbreaking ceremony will be held soon but did not elaborate on a projected date.
“We need to say a big, ‘thank you’ to Senator Roger Thompson for negotiating with ODOT secretary Mike Patterson to get it all accomplished,” she said. She also gave kudos to QuikTrip officials including the company site locator who, “worked tirelessly to see this happen.”
An issue still ahead for the city in that project is the decades-old water lines that run from the newly-constructed water tower on the hill above the projected site. Those are the main lines supplying the city with water. “We are going to be working with engineers to take care of that issue,” said public works director Ron Casey.
He told HEDA members the sewer project on the property west of town is nearing the point where lines will be installed. Still at issue was negotiations with residents there over sewer tap fees.
Members of HEDA approved a payment of $10,000 to the Chamber of Commerce for the Jim Shoulders monument. That monument will be unveiled at an August 25 ceremony.
Reimbursement of $#10,027.05 was authorized for the Shoney’s Restaurant sales tax covering the April 1 through June 30 time frame.
Anyone wishing to vote by absentee ballot in the Aug. 28 runoff election needs to apply now.
County election board secretary Ashley carnes said the deadline is Aug. 22 at 5 p.m. “We are urging everyone to get their applications in early before that deadline,” She said.
Absentee ballot application forms are available at the County Election Board office located at 314 W 7th Street, Room 102, Okmulgee. An online version of the form can be filled out and submitted electronically at: www.elections.ok.gov. A print form can also be downloaded at that address.
Ballots must be in the hands of County Election Board officials by 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.
Carnes said any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot in any election in which he/she is eligible to vote. However, a voter must be registered and reside at an address within the geographical boundaries of a school district or a municipality to be eligible to vote in school district or municipal elections. It is not necessary to give a reason for voting absentee.
“While anyone can vote absentee without giving a reason, the law still provides several advantages to absentee voters in some categories,” Carnes said.
Any voter who wants to vote early in person may vote at the Okmulgee County Election Board office on Thursday, August 23 or Friday, August 24 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Saturday, August 25 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Avid Henryetta car collector Jack Stephens was honored Friday in the way he would have appreciated.
A longtime car and motorcycle enthusiast, Stephens died at his home Aug. 4. The 1968 HHS graduate was 68 at the time of his death.
"Jack was one of our best friends," said Terry Stephenson. "We made a few phone calls and, out of respect for Jack, everyone drove their cars." All those cars lining Trudgeon gave the appearance of a car show rather than a funeral as nearly 75 classic and modified cars from as far away as Tulsa and Checotah filled the parking lot.
Those vehicles gave Stephens the proper sendoff with a procession down Main Street to Westlawn Cemetery.